When working with Microsoft SQL Server, many developers miss the convenience of phpMyAdmin's web-based interface that MySQL users enjoy. While MSSQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is powerful, it requires local installation and doesn't offer the same self-service capabilities for remote teams.

The options have evolved since earlier solutions like phpMSAdmin and SQL Web Data Administrator were abandoned. Here are current viable alternatives:

// Example connection string for web-based MSSQL admin
{
  "server": "your_server_name",
  "username": "admin_user",
  "password": "secure_password",
  "database": "master",
  "options": {
    "encrypt": true,
    "trustServerCertificate": false
  }
}

For Developer Self-Service: Adminer provides a lightweight single-file solution supporting multiple databases including MSSQL. While simpler than phpMyAdmin, it handles basic operations well.

For Enterprise Teams: Azure Data Studio offers web-based capabilities when combined with extensions, though it requires some setup.

-- Sample SQL for creating user with limited permissions
CREATE LOGIN dev_user WITH PASSWORD = 'ComplexP@ssw0rd';
CREATE USER dev_user FOR LOGIN dev_user;
GRANT CREATE DATABASE TO dev_user;
GRANT SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE ON SCHEMA::dbo TO dev_user;

When deploying any web-based admin tool, security should be paramount:

• Always use HTTPS
• Implement IP whitelisting
• Set up proper authentication
• Regularly update the software

Most tools support backup operations through their UI, but you can also expose specific stored procedures:

-- Create backup procedure for web interface
CREATE PROCEDURE usp_CreateDeveloperBackup
    @dbName NVARCHAR(128),
    @backupPath NVARCHAR(256)
AS
BEGIN
    DECLARE @backupFile NVARCHAR(300) = @backupPath + @dbName + '_' + 
        REPLACE(CONVERT(NVARCHAR(20), GETDATE(), 120), ':', '') + '.bak';
    
    BACKUP DATABASE @dbName
    TO DISK = @backupFile
    WITH COMPRESSION, STATS = 10;
END

This procedure can then be called through your web interface while maintaining proper security controls.

For teams needing advanced functionality, commercial solutions like dbForge Studio or Aqua Data Studio provide web-enabled versions with more comprehensive feature sets.

For developers and DBAs working with Microsoft SQL Server, finding a proper web-based administration tool similar to phpMyAdmin can be challenging. While MySQL has phpMyAdmin as its de facto web interface, MSSQL lacks an equally popular and maintained solution.

Several options exist, though with varying degrees of maintenance and functionality:

• phpMSAdmin - A PHP-based solution similar to phpMyAdmin, but hasn't been updated since 2006
• SQL Web Data Administrator - Microsoft's own web interface, but lacks database creation functionality
• Adminer - Lightweight database tool that supports multiple DBMS including MSSQL

Among the available options, Adminer stands out as the most viable current solution. Here's how to set it up for MSSQL:

// Database connection configuration for Adminer
$driver = 'sqlsrv';
$server = 'your_server_name';
$database = 'your_database_name';
$username = 'your_username';
$password = 'your_password';

// Connection string
$connectionInfo = array(
    "Database" => $database,
    "UID" => $username,
    "PWD" => $password
);
$conn = sqlsrv_connect($server, $connectionInfo);

For enterprise environments, these commercial tools offer robust web interfaces:

• SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) Web Access
• dbForge Studio for SQL Server
• ApexSQL Web

If existing solutions don't meet your needs, consider building a custom web interface using PHP or Node.js. Here's a basic example using Node.js with Express:

const express = require('express');
const sql = require('mssql');
const app = express();

const config = {
    user: 'username',
    password: 'password',
    server: 'localhost',
    database: 'mydb'
};

app.get('/databases', async (req, res) => {
    try {
        let pool = await sql.connect(config);
        let result = await pool.request()
            .query('SELECT name FROM sys.databases');
        res.json(result.recordset);
    } catch (err) {
        res.status(500).send(err);
    }
});

app.listen(3000, () => console.log('Server running on port 3000'));

When implementing any web-based database administration tool, consider these security measures:

• Implement proper authentication and authorization
• Use HTTPS for all communications
• Restrict access by IP address when possible
• Regularly update the software components

The landscape for web-based MSSQL administration tools may improve with Microsoft's increasing focus on cloud solutions. Azure Data Studio, while not purely web-based, shows promise as it evolves.